Schools divided

SOME schools yesterday advised parents that there will be no lessons today because of the planned teachers’ strike, while others said it is business as usual.

The strike organised by the Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) is scheduled to start today, but there was no official communication by yesterday afternoon as to the real situation because the Labour Court was yet to rule on the way forward.

Nantu general secretary Basilius Haingura yesterday told The Namibian that the strike will definitely go ahead today, although he could not comment further.

Some schools, mostly in Windhoek, had already communicated to parents that there would not be any classes today.

The Namibian saw letters from principals of Van Rhyn Primary School and Khomasdal Primary School, advising parents not to send children to school.

Other schools such as Delta Schule Windhoek, Khomas High School and Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School told The Namibian that there will be classes as usual today.

Academia Secondary School principal Hermann Rust said children should come to school.

“Some teachers are part of the union. I guess they will participate, but the children will have to come to school. They are not the ones on strike. It is a normal school day,” he stated.

The principal of Charles Anderson Secondary School at Ongwediva, Festus Imalwa, said while they will wait for an official announcement from government on the way forward, the school will be open.

Sakaria Eelu, the principal of Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School also at Ongwediva, said they received communication from education permanent secretary Sanet Steenkamp that they should not do anything until official communication has been given.

“For now, classes continue as normal. Our Grade 12s even have a mathematics examination,” he noted.

Although The Namibian could not reach any school head at Swakopmund yesterday, the police station commander, inspector Moses !Aibeb, said his office was informed to be ready to monitor a possible teachers’ strike today.

!Aibeb said the teachers are expected to gather at the Tamariskia town hall this morning.

In the Zambezi region, most heads said they would wait for a directive from Nantu, and as such, they did not communicate anything to the pupils.

Katima Mulilo Combined School principal Petuho Mutabelezi said: “We did not receive any formal communication about the outcome of the negotiations from Nantu yet. We are not in a position to instruct pupils not to come to school. It is the educations ministry’s decision; but as for us, we will go on strike.”

Imelda Lisho, the principal of Brendan Simbwaye Primary School, said they did not tell the learners whether there will be classes or not since they are waiting to get directives from Nantu.

Another principal, Gibson Nkando of the Lisikili Combined School, said as far as learners are concerned, there will be school today because they did not receive any communication from Nantu.

“We are waiting for (a directive from) the union. Whatever the union says speaks for us educators,” he added.

//Karas education director/Awebahe Johannes //Hoëseb yesterday said children in the region should attend school today.

“The status quo will remain as we did not receive any formal communication on whether the strike is on or off,” said //Hoëseb, adding that the regional education authorities will only assess the situation today.

According to //Hoëseb, the conundrum over the potential strike in which pupils found themselves has a psychological effect on them as they are confused whether to continue studying while the strike action hangs over their heads.

“We are anxious, and hope for the best,” he stressed.

The inspector of the Okongo Circuit in the Ohangwena region Penehafo Haidula said the schools are still waiting for formal communication on the final decision.

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